UKIP could face re-hearing of lesbian’s discrimination case

UK Independence Party members could face a case re-hearing over claims they discriminated against a lesbian MEP, it has emerged.

James Sanders

news.PinkPaper.com

Wednesday, 2 March 2011

1 March 2011

UK Independence Party members could face a case re-hearing over claims they discriminated against a lesbian MEP, it has emerged.

Nikki Sinclaire claims she had the whip removed and was not allowed to stand for the Commons following her refusal to work with the party’s European partners, Europe of Freedom and Democracy, which – according to Sinclaire – are rife with people who have “openly homophobic opinions”.

Sinclaire took the party, Nigel Farage and fellow MEP Godfrey Bloom to an employment tribunal saying they discriminated against her because of her sexuality.

According to the Coventry Telegraph, the party said an administrative error on their part meant they filed no defence against the claim.

Shortly after, a judge at an employment tribunal in Exeter made a default ruling in Sinclaire’s favour, and a remedy hearing was expected to take place next week to fix a level of compensation.

But now Sinclaire has agreed to have a mediated meeting with the political party in a bid to settle outside of the tribunal reading.

However, she has warned that she’s prepared to continue with the tribunal if necessary.